Welcome to an Engaged Community

There's a better way to personalize your website experience. With myConnection, the profile you create allows you to set up a unique starting point for the tasks and transactions that you want to complete in your time on this website. Use myConnection to gather the information that you most care about from across this website into one central location, giving you greater control over how you connect with your community.

Coroner's Office - General FAQ

Kenneth A. Bacha was elected Coroner in November 2001 and took office January 1, 2002. He was re-elected to his second four-year term in 2005, his third four-year term in 2009, and his fourth four-year term in 2013.

The Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office investigates the facts and circumstances of deaths that occur within the county, regardless of where the cause thereof may have occurred. The purpose of the investigation shall be to determine the cause of any such death and to determine whether or not there is sufficient reason to believe that any such death may have resulted from criminal acts or criminal neglect of persons other than the deceased.

Emergency Medical Service providers, Police Investigators or Healthcare Facility Personnel, typically notify the WCCO when a death occurs.

The general public should call 911 to report a death. If the decedent is under hospice care, it is appropriate for the family to contact the funeral director of their choice or hospice nurse without calling 911. The hospice nurse or funeral director must then report the death to the WCCO.

No. In Westmoreland County the following deaths are not reportable:Decedents who are in-patients of a hospital for at least (24) hours and die as the result of ONLY natural causes. Decedent's who die of ONLY natural causes as a resident of a skilled nursing facility.

The following deaths ARE reportable to the Coroner in Westmoreland County:Sudden deaths not caused by readily recognizable disease, or wherein a physician on the basis of prior medical attendance cannot properly certify the cause of death. Deaths occurring under suspicious circumstances including those where alcohol, drugs or other toxic substances may have a direct bearing on the death. Deaths occurring as a result of violence or trauma, whether apparently homicidal, suicidal or accidental. Any death in which trauma, falls or fractures, chemical injury, asphyxia, exposure, fire, drug overdose or reaction to drugs or medical treatment was a PRIMARY or SECONDARY, DIRECT or INDIRECT, CONTRIBUTORY, AGGRAVATING or PRECIPITATING cause of death. Operative and peri-operative death in which the death is not readily explainable on the basis of prior disease. Any death wherein the body is unidentified or unclaimed. Deaths known or suspected as due to contagious disease and constituting a public health hazard. Deaths occurring in a prison, penal institution or in the custody of police. Deaths of persons whose bodies are to be cremated, buried at sea or otherwise disposed of so as to be thereafter unavailable for examination. Any sudden infant death. Stillbirth. All residence (including hospice), personal care home, and emergency room deaths.

No. The Coroner Report of Investigation, Autopsy and Toxicology Reports are not public record. These reports contain information that is protected by Federal and State Laws.

The Coroner Dockets are the only records that are made available to the public. State Law requires that ONLY the following information be made available for public view:Name of the decedent, cause and manner of death, age of the decedent, date and time of death, Coroner's Name and Seal.

One "Official" copy of each report is made available to the legal next of kin, providing that the investigation is complete and the case is closed.

Insurance or Legal requests for reports may be made in writing and must accompany a written authorization release from the legal next of kin and a check or money order made payable to the "Westmoreland County Coroner" for requested reports. (Please verify which reports are available before sending a check. Cash is not accepted at any time).